10 Things We Want in the New Microsoft Xbox

We asked the PCMag staff what they hope Microsoft will unveil with its next-gen Xbox.

Three months after Sony unveiled its next-generation console, the PS4, it's Microsoft's turn to reveal what it has planned for the future of gaming. Later today, the company will show off an updated Xbox console during an event at its Redmond headquarters.

This has been a long time coming. The Xbox 360 was unveiled in May 2005, and while Microsoft's console has managed to stay atop the sales charts for the past eight years, it's clearly time for a revamp. Traditional consoles must now compete with mobile gaming apps and emerging alternatives like the Ouya and Oculus Rift. The gaming world is no longer PlayStation vs. Wii vs. Xbox.

Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo have evolved with the changing times a bit, turning their consoles into full entertainment devices with apps for everything from tapping into streaming services like Netflix to ordering a pizza.

While the Nintendo Wii U landed with a bit of a thud late last year, the prospect of a new Xbox and PlayStation has excited gamers, who hang on every leak and rumor. According to Ustream, which webcast the PS4 announcement, more than 8 million people tuned into the live-stream to see what Sony had up its sleeve. Microsoft will also broadcast tomorrow's event on Xbox.com starting at 10 a.m. Pacific; can it break Sony's record?

Sony irritated some earlier this year by not actually showing off the new PS4. Will Microsoft do the same? We'll have to tune in later to find out, but until then, we asked the PCMag staff what they hope Microsoft will announce today. Check out the slideshow for their responses, and let us know in the comments below what you hope to see.

Automatic Renewal Program: Your subscription will continue without interruption for as long as you wish, unless
you instruct us otherwise. Your subscription will automatically renew at the end of the term unless you authorize
cancellation. Each year, you'll receive a notice and you authorize that your credit/debit card will be charged the
annual subscription rate(s). You may cancel at any time during your subscription and receive a full refund on all
unsent issues. If your credit/debit card or other billing method can not be charged, we will bill you directly instead. Contact Customer Service

Xbox Live Overhaul

PCMag's Will Greenwald, meanwhile, requested "a complete restructuring of Xbox Live membership to more reflect what PlayStation Network does." Redmond needs to "make the non-premium tier of Xbox Live encompass online play, Netflix, and other basic features, and sweeten the pot of its Gold membership with free games and media," he said.